Bʏ Mᴀʀʏ Mᴡᴇɴᴅᴇ
October 16, 2025
Rimi Flora Ltd, located in the high-altitude regions of Nakuru, has carved a distinctive niche on the global floriculture map as a premier grower of Hypericum. Founded in 2007 by Richard Mutua, a horticulturist with over three decades of experience in the flower industry, the farm has grown from modest beginnings to become a beacon of innovation, sustainability, and social impact within Kenyan floriculture.
Rimi Flora’s journey began with Hypericum cultivation in Naivasha before relocating to Njoro region whose altitude is 2,400 meters above sea level.
Hypericum Excellence and Innovation
Rimi Flora’s success is in its specialization in Hypericum, a unique flower prized for its striking berries and vibrant colours. The farm cultivates many varieties of Hypericum, prominently featuring those from the esteemed ‘Magical Series’ developed by Kolster BV, a leading Dutch breeder based in Boskoop. These varieties include Hypericum Magical Cherry, Magical Mirage, Magical Triumph, Magical Lightning, Magical Royal Cream, Magical Royal Princess, Magical Seasons, and Magical White Prince. Producing roughly 15 million stems annually, Rimi Flora is recognized as a pioneer and leading supplier of these premium-grade Hypericum varieties, especially to the Dutch flower auction.
Rimi Flora emphasizes innovation in varietal development and sustainability. Rimi Flora conducts yearly trials and selection of new Hypericum varieties from Kolster BV and is always the first to grow and introduce new varieties to the world market. The farm is preparing to launch additional unique varieties, including a glossy red, Lemon, Peach, yellow, and others, demonstrating ongoing crop innovation aligned with market trends.
Richard Mutua’s commitment to sustainability drives decisions such as replacing older varieties with ones that demand fewer chemical inputs and are more disease-resistant. This approach supports safer farm working conditions and reduced environmental impact, helping Rimi Flora maintain its reputation for responsible farming alongside premium quality production.
Diversification into Spray Roses and Hydrangea
While Hypericum remains the flagship crop, Rimi Flora has diversified its product portfolio to include 13 varieties of spray roses and plans to introduce hydrangea soon, which is at a commercial trial phase. Spray roses have gained prominence, particularly in Middle Eastern markets, where demand is robust and occasionally requiring buyer prioritization. European markets continue to be significant for all crops, including Hypericum, spray roses, and hydrangea. Efforts to introduce and popularize Hypericum in regions such as the Middle East are ongoing, with the farm actively educating buyers about the flower’s unique appeal and versatility.
Sustainability as a Pillar of Production
Sustainability is integral across all Rimi Flora operations, reflecting in water, energy, and soil management practices. The farm has invested in dams that harvest rainwater runoff from greenhouses and surrounding areas, cumulatively holding more than 10 million liters of water. This system not only secures a critical resource for flower irrigation but also prevents soil erosion. Additionally, about 50% of the farm’s day and night energy requirement is from solar, with over 95% of daytime energy requirement coming from solar production alone.
Soil health is preserved through practices such as cover cropping, crop rotation, organic manure use, and cautious chemical application. Nylon covers reduce evaporation in early plant stages, enhancing soil and water conservation. These steps align with the farm’s certifications, including Kenya Flower Council Silver and GLOBALG.A.P., which validate its commitment to responsible horticultural practices.
Deep Community Engagement
More than just a flower farm, Rimi Flora deeply invests in uplifting its surrounding communities. Founder Richard Mutua envisioned a business model that blends commercial success with social responsibility, reflecting the opportunities that shaped his own life. Several initiatives exemplify this ethos:
- Clean Water Access: The farm supplies water to local villagers at scheduled times, addressing fundamental needs beyond the farm gates.
- Financial Literacy Training: Rimi Flora empowers locals with savings and financial management skills, enabling many to improve their living standards by building homes and acquiring land.
- Healing Bouquets Campaign: Introduced in 2023 and evolving in subsequent years, this campaign redefines the social role of flowers by gifting them to hospital patients, including cancer patients and new mothers. The initiative challenges cultural perceptions that associate flowers only with romantic or sorrowful events, offering instead hope and comfort. It has garnered profound community appreciation and seeks to expand inclusiveness.
- Infrastructure Support: Contributions include road maintenance, support for police patrols with fuel provision, and sponsorship of youth sports teams, fueling broader community development.
Osaka Expo in Japan: Showcasing Kenyan Floral Excellence Globally
Rimi Flora actively represented Kenyan floriculture on the international stage, most recently at the 2025 Osaka Expo in Japan. When the Kenyan government sought floral sponsorship to enhance the country’s national pavilion, Rimi Flora stepped forward to supply flowers gratis. The farm’s blooms were distributed during the National Day of Honor and to marathon runners, creating a memorable experience that highlighted Kenya’s floral richness and spirit of generosity.
Rimi Flora made a remarkable impression at the Osaka Expo, showcasing the beauty and potential of Kenya’s floriculture industry. From the elegant bouquets presented to top athletes during the “Running with the Champions” event, to the striking flower wall that became a major attraction on Kenya’s National Day of Honour, Rimi Flora brought a vibrant touch of Kenya to Japan.
Their flowers were not just decorative, but symbolic; shared as gifts of culture, excellence, and partnership. Throughout the Expo, Rimi Flora’s blooms were proudly distributed by KEPROBA and featured prominently in key events, reinforcing the value and appeal of Kenya’s floral exports to a global audience.
In conclusion, while the demand for responsible and beautiful flowers continues to rise internationally, Rimi Flora’s commitment to quality, ecological mindfulness, and social uplift positions the farm as a leading force in Kenya’s floriculture landscape for years to come.